ot proceed farther
east, but turn back. You will do the same if you should find the land to
turn to westward. In returning you will run along the coast as far as it
extends to northward, next proceeding on an eastern course or in such
wise as you shall find the land to extend: in which manner you will
follow the coast as close inshore and as long as you shall find
practicable, and as you deem your victuals and provisions to be
sufficient for the return-voyage, even if in so doing you should sail
round the whole land and emerge to southward.

The main object for which you are dispatched on this occasion, is, that
from 45 or 50 degrees, or from the farthest point to which the land shall
be found to extend southward within these latitudes, up to the
northernmost extremity of the South-land, you will have to discover and
survey all capes, forelands, bights, lands, islands, rocks, reefs,
sandbanks, depths, shallows, roads, winds, currents and all that
appertains to the same, so as to be able to map out and duly mark
everything in its true latitude, longitude, bearings and conformation.
You will moreover go ashore in various places and diligently examine the
coast in order to ascertain whether or no it is inhabited, the nature of
the land and the people, their towns and inhabited villages, the
divisions of their kingdoms, their religion and policy, their wars, their
rivers, the shape of their vessels, their fisheries, commodities and
manufactures, but specially to inform yourselves what minerals, such as
gold, silver, tin, iron, lead, and copper, what precious stones, pearls,
vegetables, animals and fruits, these lands yield and produce.

{Page 20}

To all which particulars and whatever else may be worth noting, you will
pay diligent attention, keeping a careful record or daily journal of the
same, that we may get full information of all your doings and
experiences, and the Company obtain due and perfect knowledge of the
situation and natural features of these regions, in return for the heavy
expenses to which she is put by this expedition.

To all the places which you shall touch at, you will give appropriate
names such as in each instance the case shall seem to require, choosing
for the same either the names of the United Provinces or of the towns
situated therein, or any other appellations that you may deem fitting and
worthy. Of all which places, lands and islands, the commander and
officers of these yachts, by order